News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-02-17

| SupI0uc, SOuuGO anu ITOUdIe courts,
county and probate clerks, sheriffs
and deputies, high bailiffs and consta-
bles, together with ferlymen and mill
ers, by reason of their various call
ings. Commissioned officers honora-
bly, discharged, and those who should
be discharged after serving five years
| were included in the list of exceptions.
only ~ tiremen were left in charge of
each engine. With the exceptions
mentioned, the militia of Vermont
consisted of all the able bodied white
! male citizens between the ages OF IS
and 40 years. The Governor was the
commander-in-chief of this force, and
was divided into divisions, brigades,
regiments and companies. The mil
ltla OF this State was usually divided
into three divisions, each division was
sub-divided into three brigades, each
commanded by Brigadier General.
Ihe company raised in Cambridge
belonged to the third regiment of the
| third brigade. The officer in COM
mand OF division was Major Gen
eral. Each brigade was divided into
from two to four regiments and each
regiment into ten companies, 100 con-
shutting company.
The first Tuesday in June was the
time set for the annual training, or
inspection. The "Floodwood Infan-
try was the derisive name given to
| the infantry, as any one drifting into
its ranks was retained if he only had
a gun. One eccentric individual, who
was something of wag, would APP
| pear like "my son John" in the old
nursery rhyme, "with one shoe off,
and one shoe on" to make as much
fun as possie--- es5ss9-old pillow-case
made of ticking was strapped to his
back in place of a knapsack, while
jug was made to serve as a canteen.
The only thing of real use was the
musket he carried. The young man
afterward enlisted and saw consider
able service. He participated in the
battle at Lacole Mill and came home
safely.
The "inspection return" Of 4 COM
pany was supposed to give, not only
the number of sergeants, corporals,
musicians and privates, present or
absent, but the muskets, bayonets,
iron ramrods, bayenet scabbards and
belts, printing wires and brushes,
spare fints, knapsacks, canteens, flies
and drums in the company. There
was Captain, Lieutenant and En-
sign in addition to the minor officers
mentioned. In 1924 those who served
in the militia and furnished their own
equipments were exempted from tax
alton TO the amount of 500. ALLOW
ance was made for boys under age
subject to military service, and fitted
out by parents, masters and guardi-
ans The name and outfit of each
soldier in the company was handed in
to the Town Clerk and each one fully
equipped at individual expense, and
exempted from all taxes except the
highway tax. Officers and musicians
were paid from one to three dollars
for each day spent at regimental drills.
Gen. Josiah Grout was the oldest
Colonel in command at one time. He
waited long and patiently, and at last
the time came for promotion to the
rank of Brigadier General. He was
a good officer, but without the least
vestige of military style. This quail
ity would of course render his chanc-
es more certain, for the State Legisla-
ture, then in session, had the dispO-
sal of the gift. He went to counsel
with brother-in-law who lived near
Goose Pond. 1t seems that rival
was using influence to obtain the po-
sition and Gen. CIRCUIT was undecided
as to whether he bad better appear at
the Capt., in person to ''stand up
h fsa trusting
and intercession ny friends. After
stating the case hGkAwaited the decis-
ion. Slowly the answer came, 81 tell
| We what, 'Si,' L think you'd better
stay at home an be guessed off, rath-
er'n go tn Montpelier an be weighed"
Suffice it to say that Gen. Grout re-
ceived the appointment in place of
our late townsman, Gen. John Wires,
who had resigned. Once in three
years, between the 9Th of September
and the Sd of October came the gen.
eral musters, at which whole regi-
ments were reviewed. On several &C.
casions the rendezvous was appointed
here, and so years ago there was a
notable muster. The favorite parade
ground was the land comprising the
meadows now owned by DR.. Brush
and D. w. Cutting, on and near the
trotting park. At other times the
meadows opposite-''over in Jersey
were selected. Brass bands were al
most unheard of then, but each COM
pany was supposed to have three
drums-one bass and two tenor-a
clarionet and two flies.
The law enforcing this system was
finally abolished. The militia is now
composed of two classes-organized
and unorganized, the former consist
ing of one regiment. In considera-
ton of the present international out
look, should we not feel more at ease
to have, in addition to the National
Guard Of Vermont, an organization
similar in practical characteristics to
the "Floodwood Militia?" 1t was a
busy time at the old village tavern for
days previous to June trainings. The
captain of the artillery always came
several weeks in advance to engage
dinner for the whole company. AS
the days came and went finally the
time could be counted by hours, and
the culinary preparations began. The
old brick oven was heated hotter than
was wont. Great puffy masses of
dough was put in, and was drawn out
as crisp, golden brown loaves. Cakes
with odd names, such as "election
cake and - SHREWSBURY cake were
compounded and Favored with genu-
inc rose-water. There were Ghosts"
of pies, buildings, etc. A whole bar
rel of home made spruce beer was
prepared for the occasion; water was
served, but no tea or coffee. Fresh
lettuce held first rank among the pro-
ducts of farm and garden, although
there were other vegetables in album
dance. Great rounds Of beef and
veal, and rich gravies, and roast pig,
served with rosy checked apples in its
mouth. Men had large hearts, wide
hearths and broad tables in those days,
on ,taI,